International

Abe Offers No Clear Apology to People of Asia

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered condolences to the United States over World War II on Wednesday, but failed to apologize to the people of Asia.

In a speech titled "Toward an Alliance of Hope," Abe became the first Japanese prime minister to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress.

He said Japan's actions during the war had brought suffering to the people of Asia, promising to uphold the views expressed by previous Japanese prime ministers.

However, Abe failed to mention key expressions used by his predecessors such as "colonial rule" and "aggression." He also steered clear of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, falling far short of the expectations of neighboring countries.

Whereas for Pearl Harbor and Japan’s battles against the United States, Abe offered "eternal condolences to the souls of all American people that were lost during World War II."